It is all in the eyes, says Steve Stricker. That is why Ian Poulter is the
European the Americans hate to lose to more than any other.

“I like to compete and I like to win – doesn’t matter who it is,” said Stricker. “But when it comes down to playing Ian Poulter in the Ryder Cup, I don’t want to lose to him.”

Stricker lost to Poulter twice at Valhalla, where he was almost driven to distraction by Poulter’s bulging eyes whenever he holed an important putt.

“When he yells and scream, they bug out. That’s why you want to beat him,” said Stricker. “He’s a big-time competitor. You can tell he’s working hard at it and wanting to beat you. And when you come across a guy who really wants to beat you, you really want to beat him.”

Said Graeme McDowell: “He and I won a fourballs at Valhalla when he birdied the 18th. I woke up the next morning and my arm was sore. I couldn’t work out why and then I remembered. We were high-fiving each other so hard because he gets so charged up. No one can strut around like Poultsy. It’s great. He’s the guy I’d love to play with again.”